How to save at the snow: $2 Tuesdays and more top tips
The cost of a family trip to the snow can quickly add up to the thousands, but our handy guide lets you in on the insiders’ tips to saving big.
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For fresh air and exercise, there’s no better winter family holiday than a week on the slopes. But hitting the Aussie ski fields can be hard on the back pocket, with local resorts some of the most expensive in the world.
Accommodation, lift passes, lessons, gear – it all adds up, to about $10,000 per family for a week, in some cases. That’s a big price to pay when snow quality – and quantity – isn’t guaranteed. But with the ski season opening on the June long weekend, here are some ways to make snow holidays a little more affordable.
PLAN EARLY AND BOOK ONLINE
This is the sure-fire way to save on your holiday with at least a 10 per cent discount online, and even more for early and off-peak bookings.
Rhylla Morgan from Mt Buller in Victoria says you can even pre-book and pre-pay for resort entry, parking, taxi connections, lessons and rental ahead of time to get a saving. Taking the risk out of it, Mt Buller even has a money-back guarantee on all prepaid accommodation, lift ticket, rental and lesson packages, if there is insufficient snow cover. Rhylla says it’s rare there won’t be snow when you visit but it helps to have peace of mind.
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LOOK FOR DEALS
There are some fantastic incentives attracting families to the snowfields, including kids ski and stay free. Some accommodation houses at Mt Buller offer free accommodation for up to two children under 15 staying with two paying adults during June and September. Mt Buller children’s pricing also extends to all kids in school up to Year 12.
Many resorts, including Mt Buller, offer kids under five free access to the lifts too, while at Charlotte Pass youngsters four and under don’t pay.
Selwyn Snow Resort has an offer available until the end of April to ski for $1 a day when buying lift, lesson and hire. If you are staying in Jindabyne you can day trip to Charlotte Pass for $109, which includes your lift pass, a hot lunch and your return oversnow transport from Perisher Valley. Charlotte Pass is also known for its $2 Tuesday day-tripper – the first person pays $109 and second person pays $2.
At Thredbo, kids ski free in June and September. Thredbo also has a first timer lift and lesson package for $99, which includes a group lesson to brush up on the basics.
LIVE IT UP AT A LODGE
Many ski lodges are open to non-members and are an affordable way to stay on the snow for less. They offer simple rooms, sometimes with shared bathrooms, which reduce your accommodation bill while offering a fun social stay.
“Think open fires, games room and communal kitchens. Handy facilities like laundry and drying rooms make it possible to self-cater and keep costs down,” Rhylla says.
Christine Parker from Charlotte Pass says Lucy Lodge has a discounted package that includes accommodation, oversnow transfer from Perisher Valley, breakfast and a three-day lift pass for $399 a person for a weekend – great value considering a day lift pass is $109.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Staying right on the slopes is costly, so staying further out can be key to mountains of savings. Being a little further away from major resorts in NSW means Selwyn Snow Resort is an affordable skiing experience for all. Christine says accommodation is available in Adaminaby and the surrounding area, which is cheaper than Jindabyne, another option for day-trippers.
GO OFF-PEAK AND MIDWEEK
Australia’s peak season starts on June 29 and winds up on September 1. Just like booking flights, there are savings to be had on early- and late-season periods, and by avoiding weekends and school holidays. Mt Buller has all the lift passes for the season online so you can lock in a deal early.
And don’t forget spring. September is often when mountains have the deepest snow but with the bonus of longer days, spring savings and lots of fun events and kids’ activities.
“Generally, you will have access to super sharp accommodation deals and it is also the value season for lift passes,” Thredbo’s Susie Diver says. “At this time of the season you generally miss the busyness too.”
BORROW GEAR AND GET SAVVY ONLINE
Share jackets and gear with friends and family and look online for second-hand gear that has often been barely worn. Pick up second-hand goods on eBay, Gumtree and Facebook buy, swap, sell pages in your local area, and set the Aldi ski sale date in your calendar.
And do your research before renting, says Susie. “Many retailers sell last year’s gear at a good percentage off.”
DISCOVER HAPPY HOUR
When you’re there, many restaurants and bars offer happy hour specials from 4-6pm. You’ll be starving after a day on the slopes so drop in for an early dinner and you’ll find you can save on usual prices and score a round of cheap drinks for the adults.
Self-contained accommodation with kitchenettes means bringing your meals can also save you hundreds. Bulk cook some bolognese, trays of lasagne, taco mince – whatever hearty meals your family loves after a long day. You can bring them frozen and defrost as you need them. Breakfast is often included in accommodation deals too, so fuel up for a big day, for free.
GET THE BUS
Explore coach options rather than driving if you are going for a short stay. It can save on parking and resort entry costs and you won’t need to rent wheel chains or stress about driving in the snow.
SIGN UP SPECIAL DEALS
All resorts share special offers and updates on events and free activities so it is worth signing up for the
e-newsletters to get the lowdown on special events and offers. Also, follow them on social media to be the first to know about seasonal deals.
BECOME A SEASON MEMBER
If you love the snow and plan to spend more than four days on the slopes, it’s worth considering a season membership. When bought at the early-bird rate before Christmas each year, it is about 50 per cent off and includes benefits at international resorts and discounts in resorts all winter.
“Also, buy multi-day passes and you can significantly reduce the rate on your lift pass, lesson and rental,” Susie says.
“So if you know you’ll be in town for longer, then it’s worth considering a consecutive day ticket to match your stay.”
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Originally published as How to save at the snow: $2 Tuesdays and more top tips
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